Win The Battle, The 3-Step Lifesaving Formula to Conquer Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Rating:
Summary: Bad Sales Pitch
Review: This book seemed devoid of any real content. It seems the author spent most his time writing about how good the book is and why the reader needs to buy more copies of it. There is some good material in it, but only enough for me to give it two stars.

Rating:
Summary: Could Benefit Every Doctor & Therapist
Review: This book should be in the hands of every psychiatrist, psychologist & therapist. Not only is it a useful tool we can use to prevent our most discouraged patients from losing hope, it is also a step-by-step guide for patients with dysthymia (a long-term mild depression) who simply need to learn how to get through the day-to-day process of their brain disorder until a treatment is found to relieve them of their symptoms.

Mr. Olson's story is one of which most patients with depression or bipolar disorder will be able to relate. Using layman's terms and his own insightful perspective as a patient who has been there, he communicates to his readers with a truth and honesty that most doctors are simply unable to duplicate. This book also offers doctors and therapists much needed assistance in explaining the most important (and hopeful) aspects of these disorders which most health care professionals do not have the time to teach.

I not only recommend this book to everyone suffering with these brain disorders, I now own twelve copies of which I lend to everyone in need (and I still could use more). Every doctor and therapist can benefit from doing the same.

Rating:
Summary: Could Benefit Every Doctor & Therapist
Review: This book should be in the hands of every psychiatrist, psychologist & therapist. Not only is it a useful tool we can use to prevent our most discouraged patients from losing hope, it is also a step-by-step guide for patients with dysthymia (a long-term mild depression) who simply need to learn how to get through the day-to-day process of their brain disorder until a treatment is found to relieve them of their symptoms.

Mr. Olson's story is one of which most patients with depression or bipolar disorder will be able to relate. Using layman's terms and his own insightful perspective as a patient who has been there, he communicates to his readers with a truth and honesty that most doctors are simply unable to duplicate. This book also offers doctors and therapists much needed assistance in explaining the most important (and hopeful) aspects of these disorders which most health care professionals do not have the time to teach.

I not only recommend this book to everyone suffering with these brain disorders, I now own twelve copies of which I lend to everyone in need (and I still could use more). Every doctor and therapist can benefit from doing the same.

Rating:
Summary: Win the Battle : The 3-Step Lifesaving Formula to Conquer De
Review: This is a great book to read. It is very easy to understand. Once I started, I had to finish it that night. I lived with a person for 15 years that suffered from bi-polar-I wish I could have read this 15 years ago. I think the most important lesson that I got from this book is never give up trying. If you give up hope, then you have indeed lost. Bob Olson never gave up and now I hope others will benefit from his story. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Great book - A dose of optimism for everyone!
Review: This is an inspirational story. The message is one we may hear often, but seldom apply. I do not have the experience with bi-polar disorder that others may have, but I have benefitted from reading this book. I am more aware of the obstacles someone with a mental illness faces and am reminded again of how thin the line is between having a bad day and having a chronic condition. By writing this book, the Olson's have given everyone who reads it a gift that we need to pass on to others - hope.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent source for families of those battling bipolar do
Review: This wonderful book has helped my mother and I understand what our loved-one has gone through and suffered with. It is a well-written, easy to follow book that many will benefit from. The sections written by Melissa Olsen are extremely insighful and should be read by those with loved ones suffering with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Bob Olsen's story is inspiring and this book should be read by those touched in any way by bipolar disorder.

Rating:
Summary: New Insights For Understanding Depression & Manic-Depression
Review: While the 3-step formula is an invaluable tool outlining the stages one needs to go through to find a successful treatment, I especially enjoyed the last five chapters of the book.

One chapter describes the truth about LABELS, and why we should not fear or be ashamed of a diagnosis of mental illness (this chapter totally changed my views about being bipolar). Another chapter uses a case example to explain how we develop "MASKS" to hide our symptoms which, in turn, confuse our family and friends when trying to make them understand our pain and suffering (every patient should make their supporters read this chapter). And there is a fantastic chapter about SUICIDE that is a "must read" for every family member who deals with this issue. Without a doubt, most people who read this will walk away with a whole new understanding of why many patients (not all) with depression or manic-depression contemplate, attempt or commit suicide.

This book changed my perspective about my own mental illness. I'm not only more comfortable with it now, I also know what I need to do to get well. I totally recommend this book to anyone with depression or manic-depression.

Rating:
Summary: First Book Recommended To Me By My Support Group
Review: Written by a guy who obviously knows what it means to be depressed, this book takes the almost overwhelming concept of "How To Beat Depression & Bipolar Disorder" and spells it out in the easiest of terms. Does it mean you will get better next week just by reading it? No. But it teaches the reader what he needs to be doing to get better. And even more, it teaches why there is hope for ending your suffering.

This is the first book recommended to me by my support group. Over several months, I read the book at least nine times. Today, I have a medication that relieves me of my symptoms. What more can I say. If you suffer, read this book.

Rating:
Summary: I wrote the book I searched for & needed when I suffered.
Review: ____________________

. . . "This is the book that Melissa and I searched for when I was suffering, but did not find."

As a former patient who has beaten my own depression and mania (bipolar disorder), I have written this book as an inspirational story of hope to other patients and their supporters. "Win The Battle, The 3-Step Lifesaving Formula to Conquer Depression and Bipolar Disorder" is a "must read" for patients who do not want to extend their suffering for months or years by following the wrong path.

This is a "doctor recommended" book with the Foreword written by the prestigious Phillip L. Isenberg, M.D. of McLean Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. If you want to learn everything you should be doing to win your battle against depression or manic-depression (bipolar disorder), then this is the guide to follow.

Now that I have been totally "symptom-free" since 1994, I have been able to use hindsight to recognize what I did "right" and what I did "wrong" during my life's worst, and final, depressive episode - a 5-year battle with depression. This book is how I offer this valuable information to those who need it - including both sufferers and their supporters.

If you are a supporter wondering how to best help your loved one suffering from depression or bipolar disorder, this is also the guide for you. This is where my wife, Melissa (my truly heroic supporter), assisted me as co-author. Her invaluable insight, from her own experiences supporting me, will teach you how to best support your loved one. It will also teach you how to cope with the difficult task of living with someone suffering from depression or bipolar disorder until that person beats his/her disorder.

At the very least, this book will help patients and supporters to understand that these disorders are not a character flaw, but a biologically-based brain disorder with both physical and psychological symptoms. And with the proper steps, these disorders are treatable!!! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Since beating my bipolar disorder, each day of my life has been nothing less than magical bliss. My goal for writing this book is to inspire and guide others to the same conclusion.

After suffering most of my life with bipolar disorder, I fell into a severe depression in 1989. Over the next 5 years, I went through over 15 medications, 3 doctors, 2 ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) doctors, and 21 shock treatments (ECT) - all without success.

During the last 4-years of my search for a successful treatment, I was unable to work and was sleeping an average of 18 hours a day. My doctors had labeled me as "medication resistant." My suicidal thoughts were more persistent than ever. And at the time, I had tried every category of medication that existed, as well as electroconvulsive therapy, with poor results. My only option was to start all over again - trying medications that had already failed me. Finally, with the loving support of my wife, Melissa, and the hopeful theory of my doctor at McLean Hospital, my suffering finally ended in 1994.

I wrote this book to share with sufferers and supporters the steps I took to "win my battle." By using the clarity of hindsight, this book offers patients and their supporters a formula for winning their battle with depression or manic-depression - a formula that Melissa and I wished we had when I was suffering. This is the book we searched for during our own struggle, but did not find.

With immense gratitude for my own mental health, we can now offer this knowledge and message of hope to others. May all who suffer soon know the peace and happiness of mental health that I have found,

~ Bob The 3 lifesaving steps for beating depression & bipolar disorder (manic-depression)

• The 4 most effective ways to help your doctor help you

• The one form of action that can create miracles for your mental health

• The 3 best tools for surviving your most difficult days

• The underlying factor behind most suicides, and how to protect yourself from it

• The single most valuable step your family & friends can take to help you

• Plus, a special chapter written for your doctor explaining his/her role in the 3-step formula